Archery Bow

ABSTRACT

An archery bow comprises a structural riser that comprises a plurality of cells defined between structural rails and connecting members. In some embodiments, a central longitudinal axis of the riser is oriented midway between the rails. In some embodiments, a first plurality of cells are aligned along the central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, connecting member intersections are aligned upon the central longitudinal axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/827962, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/438636, filed Nov. 30, 2012, the entire content of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to archery bows. Bows and the various structural components of bows must have the strength and resiliency to perform properly through repeated firing cycles. The weight of a given component will generally increase with its strength; however, there is also a desire for bows to be as light as possible.

There remains a need for novel structural designs in bows that allow for increased performance and weight reduction.

All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a bow comprises a riser, first and second limbs and a bowstring extending between the limbs. The riser comprises a first rail, a second rail and a plurality of connecting members that define a plurality of cells. The riser defines a plurality of connecting member intersections. Each connecting member intersection is aligned upon a riser central longitudinal axis, which is located midway between the first rail and the second rail.

In some embodiments, the riser comprises a plurality of similarly shaped cells, which are aligned upon the central longitudinal axis.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an archery bow.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the bow of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

US 2011/0247602 teaches archery bows having various structural reinforcing patterns. US 2011/0247602 (US Patent Application No. 13/100128) is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of an archery bow 10 comprising a repetitive structural reinforcing pattern 20. The bow 10 comprises a riser 12, a first limb 30, a second limb 32 and a bowstring 14 extending between the limbs 30, 32. The bow 10 further comprises a rotatable member 40, 50 mounted on respective axles 34, 36, with each axle 34, 36 supported by a limb 30, 32. As shown, the bow 10 comprises a single cam compound bow, wherein the first rotatable member 40 is a pulley 70 and the second rotatable member 50 comprises a cam 72. The bowstring 14 wraps around the pulley 70 and further comprises a control cable portion 18 that attaches to a feed-out track of the second rotatable member 50. The bow 10 includes a power cable 16 that attaches between the cam 70 and the first limb 30. In some embodiments, the power cable attaches to the first axle 34, for example using an axle connector as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/756300 or US Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0307471, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The riser 12 experiences several different loading conditions as the bow 10 is used. As the bow 10 is drawn, an archer will grasp the riser 12 in the area of the grip 60, wherein a force F is placed on the riser 12. The force F counteracts opposing forces applied to the ends 66, 68 of the riser 12 by the limbs 30, 32. The limbs 30, 32 also apply moment forces to the riser 12. After an arrow is fired, the forces in the riser 12 will reverse several times as the bow 10 oscillates and vibrates subsequent to the shot.

It is desirable for the riser 12 to be as light as possible while still providing the necessary strength to withstand the forces experienced during normal use. Further, the riser 12 and other components of the bow 10 are desirably strong enough to withstand other forces that may be applied to a bow 10, such as impact forces if the bow 10 is dropped.

In some embodiments, the riser 12 comprises a first rail 26 and a second rail 28. In some embodiments, the first rail 26 extends continuously from the first end 66 to the second end 68 of the riser 12. In some embodiments, the first rail 26 is primarily a compression member, carrying a predetermined amount of compression when the bow 10 is in a brace condition and a greater amount of compression when the bow 10 is drawn. In some embodiments, the second rail 28 extends continuously from the first end 66 to the second end 68 of the riser 12. In some embodiments, the second rail 28 is primarily a tension member, carrying a predetermined amount of tension when the bow 10 is in a brace condition and a greater amount of tension when the bow 10 is drawn.

In some embodiments, the riser 12 comprises a plurality of connecting members 22. In some embodiments, a connecting member 22 connects at one end to the first rail 26 and connects at another end to the second rail 28. In some embodiments, a connecting member 22 is attached to another connecting member 22 at a connecting member intersection 37. For the purposes of this disclosure, a connecting member intersection 37 does not contact a rail 26, 28.

In some embodiments, an end of a connecting member 22 attaches to a rail 26, 28 at a junction 38. In some embodiments, a plurality of connecting members 22 attach to a rail 26, 28 at a junction 38. For the purposes of this disclosure, a junction 38 is a connection between a rail 26, 28 and at least one connecting member 22.

In some embodiments, each connecting member 22 is straight along its length and connects between a junction 38 and an intersection 37.

The riser 12 comprises a plurality of cells 52. In some embodiments, a plurality of cells 52 comprise first cells 53, which are bounded entirely by connecting members 22. In some embodiments, each first cell 53 has a similar size and shape. In some embodiments, each first cell 53 is bounded by four connecting members 22. In some embodiments, connecting members 22 that are located on opposite sides of a first cell are parallel to one another. In some embodiments, each first cell 53 has a square shape. In some embodiments, two opposed corners of a first cell 53 each comprise connecting member intersections 37 and two opposed corners each comprise junctions 38.

In some embodiments, a plurality of cells 52 comprise second cells 54, which are partially bounded by connecting members 22 and partially bounded by a rail 26, 28. In some embodiments, each second cell 54 is bounded by two connecting members 22 and a rail 26, 28. In some embodiments, each second cell 54 has a substantially triangular shape. In some embodiments, two corners of a second cell 54 each comprise junctions 38 and one corner comprises a connecting member intersection 37.

In some embodiments, the riser 12 comprises a first portion 74 and a second portion 75, wherein each portion 74, 75 comprises a plurality of first cells 53 and a plurality of second cells 54. In some embodiments, the first portion 74 is located above the grip 60, and the second portion 75 is located below the grip 60. Each portion 74, 75 can comprise any suitable number of cells 52.

In some embodiments, a riser 12 comprises at least six first cells 53. In some embodiments, a riser comprises at least nine first cells 53. In some embodiments, a riser 12 comprises at least twelve first cells 53. In some embodiments, a riser 12 comprises at least fourteen first cells 53. In some embodiments, the riser first portion 74 comprises nine first cells 53 and the riser second portion 75 comprises five first cells 53.

FIG. 3 shows the riser of FIG. 2 in greater detail. In some embodiments, the first cells 53 are centered in the riser 12 between the first rail 26 and the second rail 28.

In some embodiments, a central longitudinal axis 85 of the riser 12 extends substantially midway between the first rail 26 and the second rail 28. In some embodiments, a plurality of first cells 53 are centered upon the central longitudinal axis 85. In some embodiments, each first cell 53 is centered upon the central longitudinal axis 85.

In some embodiments, two opposed corners 84 of a first cell 53 are aligned on the central longitudinal axis 85, and the central longitudinal axis 85 passes through a center point of the first cell 53. In some embodiments, two additional opposed corners 84 of a first cell 53 comprise junctions 38.

In some embodiments, a plurality of connecting member intersections 37 are aligned upon the central longitudinal axis 85.

In some embodiments, a cell junction axis 87 passes through two opposed corners 84 of a first cell 53 that comprise junctions 38, and the cell junction axis 87 is orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis 85 at their intersection location.

In some embodiments, a first connecting member 22 a and a second connecting member 22 b attach to opposite sides of an intersection 37, and the first connecting member 22 a is non-parallel to the second connecting member 22 b.

In some embodiments, a first connecting member 22 c and a second connecting member 22 d each bound a common cell, such as a second cell 54, and the first connecting member 22 c is oriented at a non-perpendicular angle to the second connecting member 22 d. In some embodiments, a first cell corner 84 a and a second cell corner 84 b are located on opposite sides of an intersection 37, the first cell corner 84 a comprises an angle greater than 90 degrees, and the second cell corner 84 b comprises an angle that is greater than 90 degrees. In some embodiments, a sum of the angles of the first cell corner 84 a and the second cell corner 84 b totals 180 degrees.

In some embodiments, first cells 53 that are located on opposite sides of an intersection 37 are rotated with respect to one another. For example, cells 53 a and 53 b in FIG. 3 are located on opposite sides of an intersection 37, and an orientation of cell 53 a is rotated with respect to an orientation of cell 53 b.

In some embodiments, the riser 12 comprises a laterally shifted portion 65 to provide a sight window for the bow 10, for example above the grip 60. The riser 12 comprises a non-shifted portion 64 oriented in the shooting plane (e.g. theoretical the plane of bowstring travel). The laterally shifted portion 65 is shifted lateral to the shooting plane. In some embodiments, the repeating reinforcing/cell pattern 20 continues through the transition 63 between the laterally shifted portion 64 and the non-shifted portion 64.

The structural reinforcing patterns 20 described herein can be used in any suitable type of bow. In some embodiments, a bow comprises a dual cam bow wherein both the rotatable members 40, 50 comprise cams 72, and the bow includes two power cables. In some embodiments, the first and second rotatable members 40, 50 comprise mirror images of one another.

In some embodiments, a bow comprises a 1.5 cam or hybrid cam bow, wherein an independent bowstring stretch extends between the first rotatable member 40 and the second rotatable member 50 and an independent control cable stretch extends between the first rotatable member 40 and the second rotatable member 50, with each of the bowstring and control cable stretches terminating on the first rotatable member 40.

An archery bow 10 can comprise any suitable combination of the various riser and rotatable member designs as disclosed herein. In some embodiments a first rotatable member 40 comprises a repeating cell shape that is different from a repeating cell shape used in a second rotatable member 50. Further, repeating cell shapes used in the riser 12 can be different from those of the rotatable members 40, 50.

In various embodiments, a riser 12 can have any suitable configuration of connecting members 22 that form cells 63 of any suitable shape. In various embodiments, the cells 63 can have any suitable number of sides, with the more common embodiments comprising 3, 4 or 6 sides.

In some embodiments, the ends 89 of the riser 12 can be ignored when describing the connecting members 22 and cell 52 patterns. The ends 89 can include accessories such as harmonic dampers, or other structural features, such as limb bolt receptacles, that impact the connecting member configuration/orientation. In some embodiments, the grip 60 area of the riser 12 is also ignored.

An archery bow having a riser 12 as described herein is lighter than a riser as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2011-0247602, while still providing acceptable deflection and performance characteristics.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. 

1. A bow comprising: a riser comprising a first rail, a second rail and a plurality of connecting members that define a plurality of cells, said riser having a plurality of connecting member intersections, said riser having a central longitudinal axis; first and second limbs; and a bowstring extending between said limbs; wherein said central longitudinal axis comprises a curved portion and a plurality of said connecting member intersections are aligned upon said curved portion.
 2. The bow of claim 1, wherein said cells comprise a plurality of first cells, each first cell having a similar size and shape, said first cells aligned upon said central longitudinal axis.
 3. The bow of claim 2, comprising at least 12 first cells.
 4. The bow of claim 2, each first cell comprising a first pair of opposed corners that are aligned upon said central longitudinal axis.
 5. The bow of claim 4, wherein each first cell comprises a second pair of opposed corners that define a cell axis oriented orthogonal to said central longitudinal axis.
 6. The bow of claim 5, wherein said cell axis intersects a junction between at least one connecting member and a rail.
 7. The bow of claim 2, wherein said cells further comprise a plurality of second cells, each second cell shaped differently from each first cell.
 8. The bow of claim 7, wherein each second cell has fewer sides than each first cell.
 9. The bow of claim 7, wherein each second cell is bounded by one of said rails.
 10. The bow of claim 2, wherein each first cell comprises a centerpoint, a plurality of said centerpoints aligned upon said central longitudinal axis.
 11. The bow of claim 1, said central longitudinal axis comprising a straight portion, a plurality of said connecting member intersections aligned upon said straight portion
 12. The bow of claim 1, wherein said curved portion comprises a first curved portion, said central longitudinal axis comprising a second curved portion, a plurality of said connecting member intersections aligned upon said second curved portion.
 13. The bow of claim 1, wherein a first connecting member and a second connecting member extend from opposite sides of a connecting member intersection, the first connecting member being nonparallel to the second connecting member.
 14. An archery bow riser comprising: a first rail, a second rail and a plurality of connecting members that define a plurality of cells, said cells comprising a plurality of first cells, each first cell having a similar shape, each first cell having a centerpoint, said riser having a central longitudinal axis, said central longitudinal axis comprising a curved portion, a plurality of said centerpoints aligned upon said curved portion.
 15. The archery bow riser of claim 14, said riser comprising a plurality of connecting member intersections aligned upon said curved portion.
 16. The archery bow riser of claim 14, each first cell comprising a pair of opposed corners that are aligned upon said central longitudinal axis.
 17. The archery bow riser of claim 14, wherein said curved portion comprises a first curved portion, said central longitudinal axis comprising a second curved portion, a plurality of said centerpoints aligned upon said second curved portion.
 18. The archery bow riser of claim 17, wherein a plurality of connecting member intersections are aligned upon said second curved portion. 